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Chennai Super Kings have suffered a major setback with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out for the remainder of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 due to an elbow injury.
CSK head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed the development during the pre-match press conference ahead of their vital clash against Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Gaikwad had sustained the injury on March 30 but continued to play a couple of matches before the pain worsened and ultimately forced him out of the tournament.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s heartfelt message to fans
With Gaikwad sidelined, all eyes are now on MS Dhoni, who will reassume captaincy duties for the first time since leading CSK to their fifth title in IPL 2023. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter is expected to bring leadership stability to a struggling side that finds itself languishing in ninth place on the points table. CSK have managed just one win so far and sits on two points with a net run rate of -0.889, raising urgent concerns about their playoff hopes. Late Thursday, CSK shared a touching video message from Gaikwad across their social media platforms, where the 28-year-old expressed deep disappointment over missing the rest of the season.
“Hello everyone, Ruturaj this side. I’m really gutted to be missing the rest of the IPL due to an unfortunate elbow injury. But thank you for your support until now,” Ruturaj said.
Despite being ruled out, Gaikwad’s morale remained high as he backed the team from the sidelines and showed faith in Dhoni’s leadership.
“Yes, we’ve been struggling a bit, but we’ve now got a young wicketkeeper leading the team, and hopefully, things will change. I’ll be right there with the squad, supporting them from the dugout,” the 28-year-old added.
Also READ: Fans go gaga as MS Dhoni returns to lead CSK after Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out of IPL 2025
A leader’s regret and undying support to MS Dhoni
While Gaikwad acknowledged the difficulty of stepping away in the middle of a challenging season, he reassured fans of his presence and support.
“I definitely would have loved to take this team out of this situation, but some things are not in our control. I’m looking forward to backing the team from the dugout, and hopefully, we’ll have a great finish to the season,” Ruturaj concluded.
Straight from Rutu’s soul! 🤳💛📹#WhistlePodu #AllYouNeedIsYellove 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/PNIZBWR1yR
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 10, 2025
His absence will be deeply felt, not only for his leadership but also for the stability he brings as an opener in the batting lineup. As CSK prepare to take on KKR in a do-or-die fixture, they will be hoping that Dhoni’s presence at the helm sparks a resurgence. The five-time champions are coming off a high-scoring game against Punjab Kings, where despite a valiant batting effort, they fell short by 18 runs while chasing 219 in Mullanpur. With their campaign at a critical juncture, a loss against KKR could deal another blow to CSK’s playoff aspirations. However, Dhoni’s return could provide the tactical sharpness and emotional lift the squad needs to stage a comeback in front of their home crowd.
